Ad Watch

Schooling McCain? Obama Goes to Bat Over Education Record

Updated 7:35 p.m.By Howard KurtzThe Ad: When they grow up, will the economy be strong enough? Barack Obama understands what it takes. Make America number one in education again. John McCain doesn't understand. John McCain voted to cut education funding. Against accountability standards. He even proposed abolishing the Department of Education. And John McCain's economic plan gives $200 billion more to special interests while taking money away from public schools. We can't afford more of the same.

Analysis: With its shots of children -- including Barack Obama's own children in the final scene -- this Obama ad attempts to open a new domestic front against McCain.

Perhaps the most damaging line is that McCain called for eliminating the Education Department. The ad doesn't mention that McCain said this in 1994, when the Republicans who would win control of Congress were pushing to slash the size of government. The GOP has long since given up on killing the Cabinet agency.

The Arizona senator voted on several occasions, most recently in 2006, either to cut education funding or against Democratic attempts to boost such funding. McCain has generally been an advocate of reduced federal spending, and some of the votes cited involve amendments that Republicans opposed because they boosted government spending on other programs as well. And someone has to pay for those programs: A 2001 vote cited by Obama would have reduced President Bush's tax cut by $448 billion, in part to increase education funding.

By saying that McCain "doesn't understand" education, the Illinois senator's ad attempts to paint his 72-year-old rival as out of touch and perhaps a bit confused about the issue's importance.

McCain released a counterattack ad later in the day, quoting Education Week as saying Obama "hasn't made a significant mark on education" and touting as his "one accomplishment: Legislation to teach comprehensive sex education to kindergartners. Learning about sex before learning to read?"

An Obama spokesman called the criticism "shameful and downright perverse," saying the 2003 Illinois law that he voted for was designed to protect children from sexual predators. An amendment said that if a school offers such a program in kindergarten through the fifth grade, "the course material shall be age and developmentally appropriate."

But I blame the McCain campaign for not distributing this background material. If you just read the Post, Times or AP, you would believe Obama was being smeared. When really, Obama was trying to smear our kids. But NOT his: they go to PRIVATE school!

Posted by: Sally Jones | September 11, 2008 10:01 PM

John McCain is a sell-out and exposed he is just a typical Republican politician by picking Palin. He picked her to appease his base and poach Hillary votes. Palin wasn’t the best or most qualified, it’s because he knew she would be attractive to small town America whom they are duping (Sara Palin ain’t like you, folks).
How is this being a "maverick"? How is it ‘Country First”? How is this “I rather win a war than loose an election”? I’ll say it again, John McCain is a sell-out. Obama said it pretty good too - Lipstick on a pig, is still a pig.

The most important metric for picking a VP is they are ready to step in from day one. His judgment is reckless and he gambled at our expense. The mere fact Palin is being educated on foreign policy and is avoiding the press indicates she wasn’t prepared on day one. She is running for the second highest office, but can’t answer questions from the press or public? This doesn’t alarm anyone?

I lost all my respect for John McCain. He's not the hero today he was 35 years ago. McCain is nothing without Palin.

What does it say about a campaign that has to "mimic" what and who Obama is, not to mention hijack Obamas core message of Change from day one just to poach votes? Is that all they view Obama as, a "product" a "formula", a “personality”? It makes McCain look weak and more importantly, the American people stupid if they fall for it.

Now all these puppets are willing to just get behind her without even knowing anything about her and try to convince the American public she is prepared to be VP or President? Not even uncertain objectiveness, caution, pause or question just because she has an "R" in front of her name? How can anyone make a clear determination reasonably in less than 60 days?

Bravo America! We look like complete idiots once again while the world watches. I am truly embarrassed of my country. I guess all isn’t lost, at least many will have Palin’s eye glass frames while our country crumbles economically. We are such tools.

One of the issues that Barack says that he will solve once he becomes POTUS is public education. He actually has a record and experience in this matter - unfortunately, he didn't solve anything. He came across the same problems every study has identified, and he had nothing new to add. His celebrity did nothing to solve the problem. What change is he talking about - spending more taxpayer money? a laptop for every kid? fixing infrastructure? more early childhood care? I can tell he has not followed his children's education closely because the problem is the parents. Big government has usurped the role of the black father - and more government programs are poor substitutes for male role models and nurturing mothers.

Posted by: David | September 10, 2008 11:24 AM

Sorry Obama camp......IT'S OVER!!!!!! McCain won. Palin won. They were just the better candidates. I think the dems need to concede and throw in the towel. RAISING McCain!!!! I hate to say it because I am liberal who supported Obama, but Obama has gone off the issues just like he accused President McCain of doing.

McCain Palin 08

Posted by: LiberalChris | September 10, 2008 5:01 AM

"Perhaps the most damaging line is that McCain called for eliminating the Education Department. The ad doesn't mention that McCain said this in 1994, when the Republicans were pushing to slash the size of government."

What did you think a 72 year old man would do,being fundamentally a GOP stahlwort for long time on every issue from education to the tax code.
GOP doesn't want smaller government for better control, they want smaller government so there is less oversight, less opposition to the Wealthy Agenda they have been pushing for the last 40 years.
Their issues are clever, they drum up people who follow their religion, grabbed onto hot bed items like Gun control and Abortion, only to make the common American feel like they are connected to them some how. Well, its worked for eight years, and with this surge from PALIN, it seems a number of you havent quite figured out that THE GOP DOESNT REALLY GIVE A RATS ARSE ABOUT YOU. They are worried about their money, and their control of what power there is in America.

Posted by: Surprised??? | September 9, 2008 9:38 PM

**********************

Great post! Their best one is pushing people's Patriotism button. The suckers line up like lambs to the slaughter. After all these years people just don't get it. Their all yelling USA USA USA, and John McCain is laughing his ass off. He won't do a dam thing he says. He lying to us to get elected, and he'll lie to us as president.

Posted by: HemiHead | September 9, 2008 9:55 PM

Education is what John McCain calls "PORK." As a matter of fact, all the money this country needs to survive he calls "PORK." Now spending trillions of dollars to kill inocent people in Iraq is called gravy. Bush/McCain don't want to fund education and health care for us and our troops, because they want to use the money to fund their war in Iraq to get rich. http://www.counterpunch.org/pringle04122007.html

Posted by: HemiHead | September 9, 2008 9:42 PM

What did you think a 72 year old man would do,being fundamentally a GOP stahlwort for long time on every issue from education to the tax code.
GOP doesnt want smaller government for better control, they want smaller government so there is less oversight, less opposition to the Wealthy Agenda they have been pushing for the last 40 years.
Their issues are clever, they drum up people who follow their religion, grabbed onto hot bed items like Gun control and Abortion, only to make the common American feel like they are connected to them some how. Well, its worked for eight years, and with this surge from PALIN, it seems a number of you havent quite figured out that THE GOP DOESNT REALLY GIVE A RATS ARSE ABOUT YOU. They are worried about their money, and their control of what power there is in America.

Posted by: Surprised??? | September 9, 2008 9:38 PM

John McCain is a sick lo-life pervert. Why would anyone in their right mind let this lying piece of garbage run this country. If he lies to us now, what makes you think he's gonna do anything different as president. He's a broken Maverick that's not worth the time of day.

Posted by: HemiHead | September 9, 2008 9:04 PM

Obama smoked up Hillary like cheap pack of cigarettes he's now showing through the same sort of pompous deference towards Governor Palin.

Shame on Obama, first for not picking the best Dem. VP - Hillary Clinton, and second for being a "pig" of a chauvinist himself.

Go McCain / Palin 2008!!! Show the promiser how to take action!!

Posted by: Yolanda | September 9, 2008 8:37 PM

Obama smoked up Hillary like cheap pack of cigarettes he's now showing through the same sort of pompous deference towards Governor Palin.

Shame on Obama, first for not picking the best Dem. VP - Hillary Clinton, and second for being a "pig" of a chauvinist himself.

Go McCain / Palin 2008!!! Show the promiser how to take action!!

Posted by: Yolanda | September 9, 2008 8:37 PM

While the rest of us in the rest of the world have no vote in the most powerful of nations we watch in horror as a woman who claims to be a pit bull with lipstick gains in the polls. This news is terrifying.

Posted by: Gramma | September 9, 2008 8:29 PM

How about Obama's "education" in Radical Fundamental Ismamic Madrasa in Indionesia? When he was with his radical muslim step father Sotero?

Posted by: Anonymous | September 9, 2008 8:27 PM

Look education does not mean attending university. Its much more that just going to college.

Its about building a good character. Obama's Character is questionable. He lie left and right. His associations with radicals like racist Wright, convicted criminal Rezko, Fraud mayor Kilpatrick, Islam Farrakhan does not show any class and is not an embodiment of the grate institution.

He behaves like a street grew up scumbag on the campaign trail.

McCain is the true mavrick and a true american hero.

Posted by: jen | September 9, 2008 8:25 PM

Does Obama really want to go there?

Obama's harvard eduation was funded by a radical muslim in Saudi Arabia.

He is a stealth agent of enemy at our home field.

Posted by: linda | September 9, 2008 8:22 PM

So, do you recall the scene in The Godfather when Clemenza asks Tessio, "What's with all the new faces?" and Abe responds, "we're gonna need all we can get, Sonny just hit Bruno Tattaglia"...well, Obama's gonna need all the money he can raise, Joe Biden's at it again- today fresh from his false drunk driver claim, he tried to tell family's with disabled children that McCain was against stem cell research- I guess he had Palin on his mind, everyone else in this country does- she's against embryonic stem cell research- McCain isn't. His position for embryonic stem cell research is one real distinction between McCain and Bush and is one reason the far Right was lukewarm on his candidacy.....Come on Joe, keep it up- we want at least 4 more gaffes before the debate! MCain is nearly tied with Obama with women voters and leads with white women voters as of today, but Joe can really put us over the top when we pull out the Anita Hill hearings....remember? Call Clemenza!
*****************************************

Wally, clever blog.

Posted by: Scott | September 9, 2008 8:03 PM

The song at the RNC should've been "We don't need no education..." That way Heart wouldn't have been upset.

Posted by: Wally | September 9, 2008 7:02 PM

That's right, David $natch

Get it out of the hands of the US govt. and make the citizens pay for their own child's educaton, approximately $8,000 per year per child through elementry school.

And have each citizen add to that their own medical insurance costs, too, an additional $2,000 - 4,000 for those under 40 years old. that will be about $20- 24,000 per year.

Vote McCain he'll get the citizens off the governments back.

Posted by: basementfrgo | September 9, 2008 6:58 PM

Fix education by getting out of the Union with Palin

SECESSIONIST…we must unite behind Sarah Palin. Her husband, Todd, was a member the Alaskan Independence Party working for Alaska to secede from the United States.

The director of Division of Elections in Alaska reported that Todd Palin registered in October 1995 to the Alaska Independence Party, a radical group that advocates for Alaskan secession from the United States, and remained a member until 2002, when he registered as undeclared while his wife ran for office.

She is more than sympathetic to the cause of secession; she is a participant.

Now, with her elected as VP just we can realize the Republic of Confederate States, the Republic of Texas, the Republic of California and the Republic of Alaska.

The time has come elect a subversive who pulled the eyes over the political system of the U. S. establishment.

Yea, let's elect this lady...hhhmmmm

Posted by: Anonymous | September 9, 2008 6:51 PM

Want to fix the education system? Get it out of the hands of the federal government. Education should be delt with by the state or local school districts. See the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

Posted by: David Schantz | September 9, 2008 6:04 PM

Is there something wrong with going to Pakistan? True, there are terrorist groups there, but there are many many more good people there as well. I would think traveling there and seeing what life is like there would be educational. I wish we could stop all of the name calling. Is calling a democrat or republican names really helpful in fixing the public educational system? My daughter attended public school in CA last year in a very good school district. There was no vice principal, no full-time art teacher, practically no science, and only 2 people in charge of 300 kids at recess. I also had to provide $150 in supplies as well as more for fund raisers. While I realize that parents have to help, I think that something is very wrong with our school systems and it is not to do with the dedicated people working there. The testing was also out of control. I am all for making sure kids are learning what they are supposed to learn but, it was all about testing and not about learning in a way that helps kids to actually remember what they have learned. Our special ed. program was very understaffed and did not serve the kids who needed it it a way that would really help them. As a parent that researched lots of different approaches to learning disabilities, I felt I knew more than the people in charge of these programs at our school. I do think that better funding for schools, and a well equipped and larger staff would really help.

Posted by: Robyn | September 9, 2008 5:35 PM

.

SWMissouri said:
"The US should get away from Grade based education and go to Subject based education."

We need a system where children advance at their own pace, with graduation reached at a certain learning level, and required at, say 16 years of age. They would receive a diploma showing level achieved and age of graduation. Some would be rewarded for their efforts and abilities with early graduation. All people are not born equal, but they should have equal opportunity.

.

Posted by: Billw3 | September 9, 2008 5:29 PM

Lame ad. But I have one question, who are the children at the end of the ad with Senator Obama. I saw his kids yesterday on Ellen, they aren't that young.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 9, 2008 5:27 PM

.

trueblue said:

"The names in this story were changed to protect the stupid"

Well trueblue, thats certainly correct.

.

Posted by: Jack The Ripper | September 9, 2008 5:14 PM

Ah...the Washington Post comments section. Home of the wander paid-for RNC posters. It's always a delight to be around the intellectually disabled while talking schools.

Here's the problem with schools...and I'd like some school teacher to address this as a few real people have spoken up in between the right-wing banter.

The whole US School system is built upon categorization and that is it's fundamental problem. From Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade kids are all stuck in categories. Some kids might pick up Math sooner but are held at bay because their 2nd grade curriculum doesn't support that. Other kids might struggle with a subject and get place in Special-Ed lest they "take away" from the others. It's really a stupid process.

All Kid's (people) learn subjects at their own speed. Period. The US should get away from Grade based education and go to Subject based education. A teacher should be a Master of their subject and teach any and all children regardless of age that subject. Instead we have teachers who are masters of nothing except the book that the children are supposed to know by a certain development period. This process is stupid...it costs our children and our teachers a lot of energy (or lack of it) to attempt to fit into this mold.

So until America decides that Grade based education in BS...it doesn't matter what money you throw at it.

Posted by: SWMissouri | September 9, 2008 5:13 PM

I work in a school district and something I continually see is an oversimplification of schools and money, which reflect a staggering amount of ignorance of how schools actually work.

There are fixed costs - Building maintenance, electricity, water, computer labs (and upgrades and maintenance) and more. 100 or 500 students, you have these costs. There are variable costs, students determine the number of teachers as an example. Now, add on to all that the extra work to be done for all the additional assessments and intervention programs NCLB has placed on public schools, often with little additional funding.

Most funding here in California comes from the state and the Governor has called for statewide cuts. How is a school, already pushed to the breaking point to work within that kind of framework?

Schools, try as they might, can only do part of the job of educating students. If parents do not take an active role in the education of their children, schools can only do so much.

I hear schools getting a bad rap, constantly. It gets old. Schools have to do more than ever before, with a shrinking relative budget, more oversight and more accountability. Rather than listen to those quick to condemn schools, take an interest in your local public schools. Attend open houses and board of education meetings. Take the opportunity to talk to those doing the work and find how hard it is when so many parents take so little part in their own child's education.

The next time you listen to some candidate rattling their gums about education, consider giving equal time to those in your neighborhood who are doing the work. Ask them what they really need. See if you can help in any way. Avoid yet another candidate who says they are for education and really is not.

Posted by: Richard J | September 9, 2008 4:46 PM

Liberals only solution to fixing education is more money, more money. But what they really mean is more money for liberals and their causes.

Liberals steal money from the kids to fund their pet projects. Liberals are corrupt lieing opportunists who talk nice while stealing your wallet.

Why not ask democrat Charles Rangel to fix education? I'm sure he could use some more of our money to spend fixing up his law breaking rental homes. And he sure could use money to pay off all the tax evasion charges and lawyers he has piling up.

In a 2003 study conducted by UNICEF that took the averages from five different international education studies, the researchers ranked the United States No. 18 out of 24 nations in terms of the relative effectiveness of its educational system.

The TIMSS results reveal a lot about the weaknesses of the U.S. education system...
“In fourth grade, American kids do above average internationally. By eighth grade, they slip a bit, and by 12th-grade, they’ve slipped a lot,” Marsh said. “We’re the only country that slides down that much from fourth to 12th grade.”

The United States focuses more on procedure, and we try to teach many topics fast. Other countries tend to break topics up and go much more in-depth...

“There are environmental factors that are involved. I think there’s a shift in the mentality of both kids and parents,” he said. “Kids value different things these days, and schools are more diverse than they were 15 or 20 years ago. We’re more open culturally, but that has caused more division rather than unity in the country. Parent involvement has also decreased, and there are also discipline factors involved. Schools have lost a lot of control.” ...

“It’s basically the teaching system, the values and cultures of a country that underlie its education system,” Sueldo said. “Other factors like funding really have nothing to do with it.”

The USA (meaning the people of our great country, not necessarily the government) needs to value education, place a priority on it, at the individual level. Not hand wring about how bad it is then look to the government to fix it. The government is good at creating bureaucracies not developing and implementing real solutions. And I'm talking both Dems and Repubs. Obama throwing more money at the issue looks good on the surface and appeals to certain segment of society that wants the government to "do something about it," but it won't fix the USAs failing education system. We need a different approach.

Do your homework folks - Obama and more $$$ is not the answer...

Posted by: Anonymous | September 9, 2008 4:31 PM

the city schools get more money then schools in the rural areas the diffrence is that its easy to keep cost down in a smaller school and every dollar is accounted for and its easy to catch the ones wasting money or stealing not so with city schools there money pitts it needs to be torn down and rebuilt not given more money to burn 90 percent of the federal progams are money pitts ssi medicade the department of ed you name it its a disaster and they can keep pumping money in and its leaking out faster then its coming in all obama talks about is how much money he is going to spend great if you work in any of those departments bad for the taxpayers and children and old people who will never see a dime of that money

Posted by: wtobias | September 9, 2008 4:02 PM

U.S. Education Slips In Rankings
Annual Study Finds Other Nations Zoom By U.S. In Student Achievement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2005

...In all levels of education, the United States spends $11,152 per student. That's the second highest amount, behind the $11,334 spent by Switzerland.

...Among adults age 25 to 34, the U.S. is ninth among industrialized nations in the share of its population that has at least a high school degree. In the same age group, the United States ranks seventh, with Belgium, in the share of people who hold a college degree...By both measures, the United States was first in the world as recently as 20 years ago...

Though this is from 3 years ago, I doubt the situation has changed in terms of $$$ spent per student and results have changed much.

Again, this isn't a money issue. We have to think about this issue differently. How do other countries get better scores/education than the USA? It has to do with desire and good old fashion hard work on behalf of the students. Not molly coddling and excuses. And how do you inspire desire? Vision and an understanding of consequences is a good start. And who is most likely to inspire the student? Parents/guardians! Not Obama. Not McCain. Not the goverment nor bureaucrats... not the NEA...

A good education starts at home...

Posted by: Anonymous | September 9, 2008 3:58 PM

"By saying that McCain "doesn't understand" education, the Illinois senator's ad attempts to paint his 72-year-old rival as out of touch and perhaps a bit confused about the issue's importance."

Does it, Howard? Or, has some McCain shill been whispering in your ear again about how the Obama campaign is secretly calling him old?

Posted by: zukermand | September 9, 2008 3:52 PM

Sarah "Bubbles" Palin is THE definition of empty suit. In the long run, she will spell doom for the corrupt Elephant party.

Posted by: trueblue | September 9, 2008 3:47 PM

Linda Burnett , 23, a resident of San Diego , was visiting her in-laws
and while there went to a nearby supermarket to pick up some groceries.

Several people noticed her sitting in her car with the windows rolled
up and with her eyes closed, with both hands behind the back of her
head.

One customer who had been at the store for a while became concerned
and walked over to the car. He noticed that Linda's eyes were now open,
and she looked very strange. He asked her if she was okay, and Linda
replied that she had been shot in the back of the head, and had been
holding her brains in for over an hour. The man called the paramedics,
who broke into the car because the doors were locked and Linda refused
to remove her hands from her head. When they finally got in, they found
that Linda had a wad of bread dough on the back of her head.

A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded from the heat, making a
loud noise that sounded like a gunshot, and the wad of dough hit her in
the back of her head. When she reached back to find out what it was, she
felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She initially passed
out, but quickly recovered.

The names in this story were changed to protect the stupid. (Her last name was Palin).

Posted by: trueblue | September 9, 2008 3:40 PM

the school system is a money pit i dont care how much money you spend on it its broken and needs to be fixed all it does is make a big payday for those who waste taxpayers money obama is not fixing whats wrong with the schools he is putting gas on a fire

Posted by: wtobias | September 9, 2008 3:37 PM

To Betsie from albuquerque.

Thank you for your post. It is always refreshing to get real information from informed sources such as yourself. I hope you or someone like you will help inform those making the decisions.

Posted by: reason | September 9, 2008 3:23 PM

Barack Obama has said in a recent news conference that the republicans are not addressing the issue of more affordable college education.
Certainly affordable college is a worthwhile goal, but the High School dropout rate is an even more pressing problem that needs to be addressed long before we begin to worry about sending our children to college.
The proponents of more affordable college seem to have completely ignored the high dropout rate of high school students.
One out of ten High Schools nationally have a dropout rate above 50%, and the rate for Blacks and Minorities is even higher.
You cannot provide a college education to students who do not have the necessary motivation to complete high school, so I would encourage both parties to more aggressively address that problem.

Posted by: kleber | September 9, 2008 3:16 PM

.

manolete:
"The grave mistake Barack made choosing an old Washington politician Joe Biden over the popular Hillary Clinton has sentenced his campaign to defeat in the November elections."

Maybe after the elcction he could go and live in Kenys with his muslim relatives.

.

Posted by: Jack The Ripper | September 9, 2008 3:14 PM

Kill the gub 'ment and wait for the rapture. Any educated person can get behind that, right?

Posted by: GOP plan | September 9, 2008 3:12 PM

Albuquerque teacher
I taught school for 46 years before retiring last year. I have seen a lot of ideas come and go in the school system, and I have yet to see anything that really works. The reason I taught so long was because no 1. I love kids never been married, and had any of my own and no 2. because in just plain talk our retirement "sucks". So I had to wait till I could draw Social Security. We are going to hear a lot of teeth bashing this year about education issues. As we should expect. At the risk of sounding un-American, I don't care who wins the election. Frankly the last election I voted in was for John F. Kennedy. All those little self appointed gods do not do a thing for me (call me un-American all you want). Lying is a pre requisite to being in politics. Some say it is the teachers fault that we have so many ("bad", as the news media calls them) kids today. Some say it is the parents fault. I say it is school, for ever letting the kids get so much power in the class room. I say it is the parents for being so apathetic. I say it is the kids themselves. There is obviously many causes. But I will say "no child left behind" is one of the main contributing factors, also the main factor in our American scores being so low. I know this is politically incorrect (I don't care, I am retired). When you hold some back for the sake of others, (don't give me that crap that it doesn't happen, if you are a school teacher you know d____ well it does). You have to have known metrics, certain quotas and guide lines before you can tell if anything works. With this system, you are hurting all parties concerned especially the kids in the long run. For crying out loud, let's be practical for once. Is everyone expected to have a PhD ? Where are the ditch diggers ? The construction people ? How will the nation survive ? If little Jose wants to follow in his father's foot steps and sell tacos on the corner, then who in the h____ is some politician to say he can't ? God bless America, but something has to happen before we are at the bottom of the world scale in education. And it had better happen P.D.Q.

Posted by: betsie | September 9, 2008 3:07 PM

The NObama supporters are confused, mad and foaming at the mouth at the sight of Sara Palin, the reformist chosen by the Maverick!

The grave mistake Barack made choosing an old Washington politician Joe Biden over the popular Hillary Clinton has sentenced his campaign to defeat in the November elections.

Sarah Palin has reinvigorated and added excitement to the Republican ticket and it has also given hope for our country to all the 18 million Hillary supporters who were rejected and ignored by NObama.

Former Hillary supporters are now considering putting our country first and vote for the McCain/Palin ticket as a way to recognize women as equal partners in governance.

It basically comes down to the same old Republican story. Vouchers to move our tax money out of public schools and into religious education, masquerading as "choice". "No child left behind" without the promised funding. And a "we broke it. it's obviously not working because we broke it. don't fund it, since it's broken."

His plan for accountability will reward schools that are doing well (in primarily suburban, wealthy districts) and punish schools that need help (those in lower-income, inner-city districts). So, the rich get better educated, and the poor get screwed. Typical Republican.

Posted by: Denver Dave | September 9, 2008 3:00 PM

Typical liberal approach. Blame the republicans and then offer to throw more money at the issue.

When it comes to education money is not the problem. There are plenty of resources available to students who "want" to learn.

This issue starts at home. If parents make it a priority, and parent their kids, it will be a priority for the kids. No amount of money is going to improve the education of someone who places a myriad of other activities above education - video games, movies, tv, texting, ipoding, skateboarding, hanging out, etc.

Other countries are ahead of the USA in education because the parents see it as a high priority opportunity to improve their kids future. They hold their kids accountable to get good grades.

In the USA we look for someone else to blame. We have outsourced education to bureaucrats and the NEA with misreable results, then the socialist minded liberals want to throw more money at the problem. But the students of parents who get it are somehow able to get good educations and go on to pursue careers with good results.

Barack the socialist. If elected, this will be his go to approach - spend more money on it - regardless of the issue. And we will pay for it one way or another through increased taxes, if not directly then indirectly. And in the case of education with no measurable improvement.

Vote McCain/Palin!!!

If you want better education - hold kids accountable!

Posted by: John In Colorado | September 9, 2008 3:00 PM

Education?

Yes, I know public education is fugged up, that is why I keep my daughters far away as possible from public schools.

I want to expand the role of charter schools, increase their funding, and I want to fire teachers, even though saying that makes the teachers union red in anger towards me.

Change? Yeah, I guess its change. 'Cos this black man ain't lettin' any of his family set foot in a public school or university. NO WAY.

I am Barack Obama, and I approve this message.

Posted by: Barack Obama | September 9, 2008 2:49 PM

Republicans have a vested interest in keeping Americans dumb so that they and their corrupt business partners can continue to lie, cheat and steal.

--------

To be honest, I don't think it amounts to keeping people dumb so much as it is the Republican party has never wanted to pay for public education. They have been trying to kill public education for as long as I can remember.

They would much rather push the country toward privatized education, which is an idea that does have some merit. It just doesn't happen to be particularly fair to people without money or means.

McCain's attitude toward education seems to be the same as it is toward a lot of government programs. He would rather see it go away and be replaced by something private. Bush's reforms on education over the last 8 years have been extremely damaging. I have a lot of opportunity to talk to people in public education, and No Child Left Behind has been relentlessly maligned by all of them as underfunded and ill-conceived in how it tries to teach kids and measure their performance.

I don't think there is going to be a lot of debate in education, though. Obama believes in public education, and McCain does not. There are arguments for both sides, but I think Obama is likely to draw the bulk of voters' support.

Posted by: Joe | September 9, 2008 2:42 PM

Education? We don't need no stinkin education! Why look at our fine Republican ticket. They show that having mediocre intelligence is good. I'd like to have a beer with them!

Why would we want the brightest and most talented people to have their finger on the switch with the bombs? I'd rather throw back shots with a beauty queen!

Sheesh...

Posted by: scott032 | September 9, 2008 2:41 PM

I am Joseph Biden, and I approve this message.

Just where the flying fvck am I? I think I have been swallowed up by a friggin' black hole or something!!!

No one listens to me. In fact, right now, you have a better chance of finding Waldo than my whereabouts. Hell, I am so lost, I dont even know where I am.

I am Joseph Biden and I approve this message.

Posted by: Joseph Biden | September 9, 2008 2:40 PM

Linda Burnett , 23, a resident of San Diego , was visiting her in-laws
and while there went to a nearby supermarket to pick up some groceries.

Several people noticed her sitting in her car with the windows rolled
up and with her eyes closed, with both hands behind the back of her
head.

One customer who had been at the store for a while became concerned
and walked over to the car. He noticed that Linda's eyes were now open,
and she looked very strange. He asked her if she was okay, and Linda
replied that she had been shot in the back of the head, and had been
holding her brains in for over an hour. The man called the paramedics,
who broke into the car because the doors were locked and Linda refused
to remove her hands from her head. When they finally got in, they found
that Linda had a wad of bread dough on the back of her head.

A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded from the heat, making a
loud noise that sounded like a gunshot, and the wad of dough hit her in
the back of her head. When she reached back to find out what it was, she
felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She initially passed
out, but quickly recovered.

Linda is a blonde, and a Democrat, and an Obama supporter, but that
could be irrelevant.

Posted by: BruiserND | September 9, 2008 2:38 PM

Republicans have a vested interest in keeping Americans dumb so that they and their corrupt business partners can continue to lie, cheat and steal.

The cons - S&L, Iran-Contra-Crack Cocaine, Enron, Sub-Prime Mortgages - are getting more sophisticated, but they add up to the same thing: deregulation that leads to scandals where Republican business elites make billions on the upside and then the ***US Taxpayer*** pays billions on the downside.

It should have been clear - ever since the S&L thing - that McCain is a CROOK. His best buddy Gramm was the political muscle behind the energy and finance deregulation.

And don't believe the LIES. Finance cos. spent hundreds of millions to get Glass-Steagall overturned so that they could pull a scam like the Sub-Prime Mortgage Crisis, which, when all is said and done, will cost US TAXPAYERS $500 billion dollars.

They don't want to tax you. They want to STEAL from you, in a very sneaky way.

Wise up, people. And then rise up and throw these jerks out on their arses.

Posted by: Deep Blue | September 9, 2008 2:26 PM

Why do all the politicians send there kids to private schools? The more money we spend, the more kids seem to drop out. http://www.boppoll.com

Posted by: Tired of Broken Schools! | September 9, 2008 2:13 PM

One thing is evident....John McCain gets it! Unfortunately, Barack Obama does not. Obama can tax the heck out of everyone & everything...dump all that money into failing systems and new policies and it won't make an iota of difference. Washington/the system in general is broken. It has been for decades. McCain is the only one addressing the issue. Changing policies will not help this country. Obama as Senator/legislator has had ample opportunity to change policy at the source and look where we are - back at square one. McCain is the only one out of the two candidates with the experience to get things done, the understanding of what needs to happen, and the humility to reach out to everyone. "Some use change to further their career, others, like McCain, have used their career to promote change." The next president will face very complicated, very serious, and immediate problems/issues. Personally, I'm not willing to take the chance on Obama, someone who has a track record of NOT following through and a history of avoiding votes on difficult, controversial, and complicated issues.

Posted by: tj2006 | September 9, 2008 2:09 PM

Gee....with all that experience in Washington, what does McCain have to tout on his education record?

Posted by: SonOfHistoryProf | September 9, 2008 2:05 PM

For any of you actually interested in Obama's plans for American education, you should check out his website which has pretty detailed information about his policies. It's much more informative than the ad, and probably more relevant information anyhow.

I cant remember...was it five colleges in six years or six colleges in five years. Palin did finally graduate but that is just donkey.

Maybe the professors didn't speak in tongue or something...lallallallalala!!!!

Yea...I'll vote for that...

Posted by: Get Real | September 9, 2008 1:55 PM

So what if McSame tried to abolish the Dep't of Education in 1994? McSame is trying to make what happened with the Weathermen in 1970 an issue. That was a generation earlier. McSame is living in the past. He thinks change is replacing 8-track tapes with cassettes.

More flip-flopping conservative moral relativism.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 9, 2008 1:49 PM

Sarah Hussein Palin is an endtimer who believes the Jews need to be converted to Christianity and the world is going to burn up and only 'believers' will be left. Everyone else will burn in hell. Do you really want someone like this in charge? She's a wackjob whose past should be gone over in the media so people know who they're REALLY voting for.

Posted by: Bill | September 9, 2008 1:46 PM

Of course Barack Hussein Obama has experience in education. Why, he sat on a board that oversaw $100 million dollars to reform Chicago education.

Of course, he sat on that board with Bill Ayers, unrepentant terrorist, and that program accomplished nothing but turning out more gangbanging hoodlums in Chicago public schools. But we can forgive that, since the Chicago Annenberg Challenge was, in reality, nothing but a Weather Underground slush fund.

It seems uneducated people will believe whatever they read without checking it's credibility!

I'm so so sad for this country for it's in the hands of those people!

Posted by: Matthew | September 9, 2008 1:34 PM

..There should be at least 1 ad for every problem that McCaint and peeeuuu Palin does not nor will not address...

New VA Hospitals

New Healthcare reform

New Transportation and Highway Works Projects

New technology investment in clean energy

Tax incentives for those who install solar and wind energy for the homes and places of business

...etc

Posted by: AlexP1 | September 9, 2008 1:27 PM

I was originally switched my vote from Obama to McCain because of the addition of Sarah Palin to the ticket. After hearing about her bridge to nowhere flip flop, and her billing the government for her husband and children's expenses and her pentecostal roots of speaking in tongues, I'm going back to Obama. I don't want someone who believes in end times with their finger on the button.

Posted by: Gloria | September 9, 2008 1:24 PM

While he is at it maybe he can school Palin on ethics. She has trooper gate and now it seems maybe she had an affair. http://www.hotpres.com

Obama hasnt been accused of being unfaithful. Unlike McCain. Who admits it.

Posted by: Steve shmidt | September 9, 2008 1:01 PM

I much preffer Obama to McCain I just have to many questions about Obama's Past. Like why did he go to Pakistan for 3 weeks as a teen? http://www.theobamaplan.com